LES proposes new budget with possible rate increases around 5%

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln Electric System (LES) has proposed a new budget with possible rate increases.

The new proposed budget is just under $800 million. Parts of the budget would go to a new wind and solar generation project.

“Two thirds of LES customers would see increases that are less than 5%,” chief financial officer Emily Koenig said.

According to LES, the increase of the average residential consumer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would be around $4 a month.

“As our community’s public power utility, we’re committed to balancing affordability with the resources needed to reliably serve Lincoln for decades to come,” Koenig said. “We’re focused on making thoughtful decisions today that will benefit our customers both now and in the future.”